One of the perks of my job as a blogger is getting beautiful products sent to me, and I was thrilled with the package that arrived recently from ima-koko. They're a New Zealand based wholesale company supplying retailers with Japanese designed homeware products. Their motto is to "live and love for the moment" with your loved ones and loved products.
The Soil products are simple, beautiful, and practical. Made from natural materials (Diatomaceous Earth), they have the unique ability to absorb moisture, keeping their base surface clean and dry. I have the Dispenser Tray, Soap Dish, and the Toothbrush Stand. I've styled them in a different way so you can see how versatile they are.
You'll find a fabulous selection of products on the ima-koko website, all with the signature Japanese design style consisting of simplicity, purity and integrity. My girls love their Pitacoro Magnets, which are like tiny coloured rocks; and their cute little Lumibaby lets off a lovely, soft glow when you push his tummy, making a perfect night light.
Because they are a wholesale company, ima-koko don't sell directly to the public. But if you want to know where to buy any of the products on their website, or would like to stock them in your shop, drop them an email today.
Pinterest is an important tool for me and my work, and it's a great source of inspiration. When I come across an image I love, I pin it to one of my boards, and I also often share it on my Facebook page. Today I have chosen a few random, beautiful images with the purpose of explaining to you why I like them, and why they work... I'm drawn to strong, graphic elements, and this large painted "N" is a fantastic alternative to a smaller wooden or metal letter representing your child's name. If you have a statement piece of furniture, artwork or element in your room, give it maximum impact by keeping the surrounding elements simple and pared-back. Your eye will be drawn to the "hero" piece and will not be fighting with things around it.
Likewise in this room, the colour palette is quiet and subtle, allowing the framed photography to shine. When it comes to artwork, bigger is better, in my eyes.
There are always exceptions to the rule, though. In this image the wall sconce and small framed print work beautifully together. The wall sconce does it's job to light the room, and the artwork helps to anchor the light so it doesn't just 'float' on the wall. As well as lighting the room the sconce also highlights the artwork.
This artwork is anchored by the furniture below. The three pieces enhance each other and work together to form a triangle that keeps your eye moving comfortably around. This is one of my most favourite little settings, I love everything about it from the arrangement, to the pattern and colour, and the pieces themselves. No surprise that I love it when it's from the home of my favourite artist, Miranda Skoczek.
I love to find solutions for decorating small nooks, you can find one each month in Your Home & Garden's "Nook of the Month". This little dining nook is perfect for when you don't have a big space. Having a built-in bench seat means you can push the table up close to the wall, and it also serves as a lovely spot for relaxing. The large mirror is a trusty tool for creating the illusion of more space, and here it also reflects more light into the room providing a lovely airy feel.
It's no secret I love round tables. They're not right for every room, but they are great when your dining area is open plan and a thoroughfare through to other areas of your home. The nature of the circle means it's easier to move around it.
I'll be bringing you more of these "Why It Works" posts. If you have any interior questions feel free to email them to me, and I may be able to address them in one of these posts.
As the school holidays and my beautiful kids encroach into my working day, I hope you forgive me for a simple post today. I wanted to show you a few recent images from my Instagram. This is where I post mostly images 'behind the scenes' of my home, life & work.
If you want to get a really good feel for person's style, check out their Instagram account, especially on your computer rather than in the actual app. My love of colour and pattern, and the sea is quite evident. What does your Instagram say about you?
